Most Affordable Fast Food Chains

Many fast food chains pride themselves on offering quality food at affordable prices with instant service. With drive-through burger chains such as McDonald's and Burger King, pizza chains such as Papa John's, Domino's and Pizza Hut, and the many more options available, there are plenty of fast food chains claiming to offer the best deals to their consumers. But who truly reigns as king of fast food value? Here is a look at some of the most affordable fast food chains in the United States, along with a determination of which one really is the most reasonably priced.

McDonald'sThe McDonald's logo is one of the most easily recognizable company symbols in North America and throughout the world. The highly popular food franchise has many menu items as they serve up specials for breakfast, lunch, dinner and plenty of snack options for anyone who is hungry in between. McDonald's is among the most affordable fast food chains due to its dollar menu; everything on this menu is available for $1. Additionally, McDonald's offers a value menu with many options that help keep dining costs low. Occasionally, McDonald's will run promotions offering soft drinks for $1, or 2 breakfast sandwiches for just $3. These deals keep luring hungry consumers toward the golden arches.

Little CaesarsAnother fast food chain that keeps costs low while giving their customers top value is Little Caesars. The pizza chain offers "Hot-N-Ready" pizza for as low as $5 a pie, in comparison with its direct competition at Pizza Hut and Papa John's, which offer large pizzas at approximately $10 each. While the menu at Little Caesars may not offer as many options as its direct competitors, the cost factor certainly gives it an advantage.

Taco BellTaco Bell is an industry leader that offers rock-bottom pricing on many menu items, including its 89 cent nachos and tacos for less than $1 each. The value gets a little watered down, however, when you consider that most people will order more than just one taco. But in comparison with other fast food vendors that sell Mexican-inspired menu options, Taco Bell is definitely a good choice that won't overly impact your bottom line.

Wendy'sAnother fast food chain that offers a value menu along with reasonably priced meals is Wendy's. Some of Wendy's lowest-priced menu options appearing on its "Everyday Value Menu" include a small-sized order of chicken nuggets, a baked potato with sour cream and chives and a small frosty. While Wendy's isn't necessarily known for any sandwich in particular, it are known for their low prices, and that, along with taste, is what keeps customers coming back for more.

Burger KingIs Burger King the king of fast food? The fast food giant is definitely up against some steep competition for the title. Similar to McDonald's and Wendy's, Burger King offers a BK Value Menu with a long list of items that are both filling and inexpensive. In addition to the value menu, Burger King also has a hearty menu of combo meals for breakfast, lunch and dinner, as well as many snack items and beverages. In comparison with many other fast food chains, Burger King's value lies in how filling many of its value menu options are. Consumers could easily satisfy a hearty appetite with just a few dollars.

The Bottom LineWhile each of the fast food chains examined above have its own set of advantages, there is one clear champion of the drive-through in terms of cost and value. While many fast food restaurants offer value menus, none trump McDonald's in terms of value. The fast food giant has many menu items that sell for just $1 each, in addition to many combo meals and frequent promotions for discounted sandwiches, drinks and more. While Burger King and Wendy's are following right on the heels of McDonald's, they aren't as highly ranked because their promotions don't quite measure up to what McDonald's offers. Regardless of which fast food restaurant is your favorite, the five restaurants listed are among your best bets when looking for a deal on your next meal.

Trending Now

Quotes are real-time for NASDAQ, NYSE, and NYSEAmex when available. See also delay times for other exchanges. Quotes and other information supplied by independent providers identified on the Yahoo! Finance partner page. Quotes are updated automatically, but will be turned off after 25 minutes of inactivity. Quotes are delayed at least 15 minutes. All information provided "as is" for informational purposes only, not intended for trading purposes or advice. Neither Yahoo! nor any of independent providers is liable for any informational errors, incompleteness, or delays, or for any actions taken in reliance on information contained herein. By accessing the Yahoo! site, you agree not to redistribute the information found therein.